Control for dispensing devices



May 30, 1961 H. l. SPAULDING CONTROL FOR DISPENSING DEVICES Filed March 23, 1959 IN V EN TOR. Hon 42a J'pql/l o/M;

United States Patch-t CONTROL FOR DISPENSING DEVICES Howard 1. Spaulding, Lakeview Ave., Kingston, NY.

Filed Mar. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 801,080

3 Claims. (Cl. 222-481.5)

This invention relates to dispensing means and more particularly to port structures of dispensers to provide novel flow characteristics therein.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide means contributing to improved features of construction, sealing and control of liquid dispensing devices with a view of reduced cost of manufacture, long life even while rough handling takes place and ease of assembly and disassembly for servicing purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means facilitating improved sealing against leakage and ensuring increased versatility in application and control functions of the dispensing device.

The invention in its various phases may be most readily understood by referring to a detailed description of some illustrative embodiments of a novel dispensing device, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a container equipped with a dispensing device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows the dispensing device in exploded view.

Fig. 3 illustrates the operation of the dispensing device according to the invention drawn to an enlarged scale, parts being broken away.

Fig. 4 shows a detail in perspective, employable with this invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the dispensing device of Fig. 1, but somewhat modified.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is disclosed a container shown partly in section, in which a liquid 11 is received. On the level of liquid 11 there swims a fioat 12 with an opening 12a from which float extends a hollow tubular member 13 leading to the upper part or top 15;: of a cap 15 and is fixed therein by means of a sleeve member 14. Tubular member 13 is made from any suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene. The tubular element 13 is fixed in position at 16 as more clearly seen in Fig. 3 by tightly engaging a tubular protuberance 17 in sleeve or extension 14. Into the screw threaded opening 18 of extension 14 is inserted a plug 20 having a reduced portion 19 with an opening 21. Float 12 and tubular member 13 are capable of establishing communication of air (with the outer atmosphere) by means of bore 22 as indicated by arrow A through opening 21 with the upper portion 10a of the container as more clearly seen in Fig. 3.

Centrally fixed to top surface 15a is a liquid substance dispensing device 30 which consists of a lower body part 23 and upper body part 24 which are threaded or otherwise assembled together at 25. The lower body part 23 has a tubular portion 23a which is connected by means of screw threads 2312 to nut portions 26, seated at the top wall 15a of screw cap 15, which, in turn, is threadedly connected at 15b to the bottle or container 10.

Extending into the upper body part 24 of the dispensing device is a spout 35 having a channel-shaped opening or chamber 29a. Lower part 23 of the dispensing device ice forms a seat for a needle valve body 40, which normally extends with its pointed end 36 into channel or bore 37 of the lower body 23.

The upper surface 38 of said needle valve 40 is held on its seat 39 by means of said extension 29, as can be more clearly seen in Fig. 3.

Rearwardly of extension 29 there is fixed an abutment ring 2915 which prevents complete withdrawal of spout 35 from chamber 29a, as it is quite clear from Fig. 2. It is further to be noted that abutment ring or nut 29b may be regulated in its position along the threads 28 of spout35 to vary the extent of displacement of the latter relative to needle valve 40.

When closing needle valve 40 and holding it down on its seat, spout 35 is screwed down (according to arrow B) by manipulating the knurled portion 41 provided on globular part 35a of said spout.

In a similar way plug 20 may be screwed home to prevent any communication of the atmosphere with the interior of container 15.

Valve 40 has a conically shaped, lower portion 36a terminating in pointed needle end 36 and a cylindrical upper portion 38a which is provided with cut outs or recesses 38b, which are adapted to permit flow of liquid from the interior of the container 10 past lower portion 36 and via said recesses 38b out of the spout carrying body 35. To this end body 35 is rotated in one direction of arrow B by means of knurled part 41 (Fig. 2), so that abutment extension 29 is withdrawn from its contact with the top 38 of needle valve. Thus said needle valve 40 will be displaced from its seat 39 (Fig. 3) and facilitates flow of liquid from the interior of the container 10 through channel or bore 37 past valve recesses 38b to channel or bore 27 for dispensing purposes. 1

Simultaneously it is, however, required that plug 20 is turned so as to permit more or less establishment of air circulation from within said container through bores 21 and 22. 1 1

From the foregoing disclosure it will now readily become apparent, that even, if spout body 35 is moved away from valve 40 to a considerable extent no liquid may fiow through channels 37 and 27 unless the air vent assembly 20, 21 and 22 is so positioned relative to the end of tubular member 13 that air communication with the interior of the container 10 will be had.

It is therefore possible according to the invention not only to regulate air admission via the aforesaid air vent assembly but also to control the spout extension location relative to valve end face 38,'so that a desirable flow regulation is effectuated from a continuous steady flow of liquid to a drop by drop liquid dispensing action and at the will of the operator.

In accordance with Fig. 5 the lower body part 23 'is shown having lower tubular extension or member'23a provided with screw threads 50. This lower extension 23a receives a washer-like nut 51 provided with a circular,

After the lower tubular member 23a has been inserted through an opening of the top wall 15a of cap'15 it is then fixed thereat by nuts 26. The flow of liquid through channel 27 may be regulated by turning the upper tubular member 35 by grasping the knurled portion thereor", but the air vent mechanism 55 may also be centrally regulated by moving nut 51 in one direction of arrow C along the threads 50 of tubular member 2311. g

In this particular instance, the tube 13 reaching into the container is fixedly sealed over sleeve 17 which, in turn, forms at its uppermost end a seat at 17a for a coil spring 53. By this coil spring 53 is supported pin aneenro said pin '54. The end 59 of pin 54 is rounded to fit into and follow circular groove .52 of adjustment nut 51, so that it will become apparent thatupon moving the latter in a direction upwardly, pin 54 will readily follow and is moved away from seat 17a for regulating quantitative admission of airinto the container via tube 13. When nut 51 is moved along screw threads 50 in downwardly direction, pin 54 will be pushed with its conical end 60 for being seated on abutment or end face 17a to close the air vent.

Pin 54 is guided by stud '61 inkeyway 62 provided in 'sleeve. 14.

Tubular piece 17 is attached to sleeve 14 in any suitable manner (forcefitted), whereas tube 13 is bonded to piece 17 at 16 by cementing or like means. It will be clear from the aforesaid disclosure that the fingers of one hand only of the operator may be used to control the air flow as well as the passage of liquid or semi-liquid substance from within container 10 through spout 35.

vIt is further to be mentioned that the dispensing device may be operated also without float 12, which may have an opening 121: for establishing communication of the upper'space 10a of container 10 with the outer atmosphere.

It is of importance to stress the fact that leakage may be efiectively prevented by any gaskets and like known means (not shown).

The regulation of the liquid flow, sealing arrangements and operation of the control may be had by the use of only a few parts or elements, which are of standard construction, may be easily replaced and are applicable without .difliculties on screw caps and like closure .implements now employed on canisters, bottles and any containers.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided according to the invention a dispensing device comprising a support in the form of a closure cap constructed'for connection with the neck of a container, a two-part body anchored on said cap and extending from the interior thereof therewithout, said body being provided with a .lower part and with an upper part, means connecting said parts together, a chamber extending between said parts therein, said upper part being provided with a first tubular member arranged for displacement relative to said upper :part, whereby said first tubular member may extend into said chamber, said lower part being provided with a second tubular member fixed on said cap and establishing communication from the interior of said container to said chamber and said first tubular member, when said cap is connected to said container, a needle valve loosely arranged for vertical movement in said chamber, said lower :part including a seat for said loose needle valve, whereby the latter is pressed against said seat when said first tubuilar member is displaced in said upper part for movement into said chamber and for abutment against said needle valve, and air vent means for establishing communication between the interior of said container and the outer at- 'mosphere, said air vent means being mounted on said closure cap and being independently regulatable in regard to the passage of air from said displacement of said first 'tubular member, said first tubular member including a spout for dispensing said substance via said second tubular member past said valve from within said chamber 'upon regulated admission of air through said air vent means to'said container.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present in- Vntionandit is intended that such obvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

"Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

.l.. A dispensing. device for a liquid substance; comprising a support in the form of a closure cap constructed for connection with the neck of a container, a two-part 4 body anchored on said cap and extending from the interior thereof therewithout, said body being provided with a lower part and with an upper part, means connecting said parts together, a chamber extending between said parts therein, said upper part being provided with a first tubular member arranged for displacement relative to said upper part, whereby said first tubular member may extend into said 'chamber, said lower part being provided with a second tubular member fixed on said cap andestablishing communication from the interior of said container to said chamber and said first tubular member, when said cap is connected to said container, a needle valve looselyarranged for vertical movement in said chamber, said lower part including a seat for said loose needle valve, whereby the latter is pressed against said seat when said first tubular member is displaced in said upper part for movement into said chamber and for abutment against said needle valve, and air vent means including regulating means for establishing communication between the interior of said container and the outer atmosphere, said air vent means being mounted on said closure cap and being regulatable in regard to the passage of air into said container, said first tubular member including a spout for dispensing said substance via said second tubular member past said valve from within said chamber upon regulated admission of air through said air vent means to said container, said second tubular member being provided exteriorly with screw threads, and a member engaging said screw threads and extending to said vent means to thereby regulate the position of the latter and thus the quantitative admission of air into said container.

2. A substance dispensing device of the character .described; comprising a closure cap connectable withthe neck of a container to close same, a two-part body fixed to the top of said cap and extending from the interior of the latter thereabove, said body being provided with a lower part and with an upper part, means fittingsaid parts together, a chamber within said parts when fitted together, a first tubular member arranged within andfor displacement relative to said upper part, whereby said first tubular member may move into said chamber, a second tubular member fixed on said cap and establishing communication from the interior of said container to said chamber, a needle valve loosely seated in said lower part and arranged for vertical movement within said chamber, said needle valve being adapted to be pressed by said first tubular member for seating and retaining said needle valve in said lower part, and air vent means for establishing communication between the interior of said container and the outer atmosphere, said air vent means being mounted on said closure cap adjacent said second tubular member and being actuatable for regulating the passage of air into said container, said first tubular member including a spout for dispensing said substance via said second tubular member past said valve and said chamber upon tilting said container and subsequently to regulated admission of air through said air vent means to said container, said second tubular member being provided exteriorly with screw threads, and a nut member engaging said screw threads and extending to said air vent means, said air vent means including a pin for regulating the quantitative admission of air into said container commensurate with the position of said nut member on said second tubular member.

said pin having a conical end cooperable with said sleeve to obstruct the latter and to free the same for said air admission via said channel means, respectively, and means extendingfrorn said sleeve into said container and form- 'inga fioat'onthe level ofsaid substance in said container.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,190,586 Robertson July 11, 1916 1,761,164 Wilson June 3, 1930 5 2,333,310 Greening Nov. 2, 1943 W ler Au z1, 195 I Schuler Oct. 5, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany May 5, 1938 

